Chess Boards

A Guide to Choosing the Right Chess Board

Choosing the right chess board is not always easy, especially if you have never shopped for a chess board before and you aren’t sure what you need to consider when narrowing down the many options. Whether you are a beginner player looking for their very first folding chess board or you are an experienced player hoping to find a new wooden chess board for your collection, consider the following short guide to choosing the right chess board for you.

Vinyl Chess Boards (8)

E-boards (3)

Wooden Chess Boards (7)

Chess Boards Styles
The first thing you will want to consider is the style of the chess board. There are many different styles of chess boards, with the primary styles being: folding boards, magnetic boards, luxury boards, starter/practice boards and themed boards.
Folding boards are designed to be folded up and are ideal for travel or for casual play, particularly since they sometimes include built-in compartments to hold your chess pieces. Folding boards come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so if you plan on taking one with you to travel, make sure that it’s small enough to fit comfortably in your bag or luggage.
Magnetic boards are also a great option for travel because they allow the pieces to stay securely on the board; these magnetic boards are also great for younger players and older players who may have problems with dexterity.
Luxury boards are designed with rich materials and luxurious styles; these boards are designed both for play and display, since they are meant to be aesthetically pleasing. These types of boards are great if you are a chess lover who wants a board that will also serve as a show piece.
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Starter/practice boards usually come with features that help out beginner players, such as numbers on the board that will help you understand the name and position of each square. These boards may also feature simplistic pieces that make it easier to understand which piece is which.
Themed boards are chess boards and pieces which are designed around a certain theme, which may range from something such as medieval kings and queens to something that is more a novelty, like a popular TV or movie series. These boards are great if you want something unique and fun to play with rather than a simple standard set.
Chess Board Materials
When you are choosing a chess board, you will also need to consider the chess board materials. If you have a preferred material, you’re in luck: many chess shops offer boards and pieces with a range of materials including wooden boards and wooden pieces, plastic boards and pieces, metal pieces, and so on.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right chess set isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be difficult when you consider the above factors. Once you know the type of board and materials you are looking for, it will be much easier to narrow down your chess set options. Just remember to know your budget before you begin to shop so you can easily look for chess sets that suit your particular needs.Read Less